Donovan reckons the man he rates as a "miracle worker" would take the Blues to untold heights if he had splashed similar multi-millions to Liverpool.

Donovan, completing a second loan spell at Goodison, insisted: "I don't think I could overstate the manager's importance to this club.

"When you look around the league at the salaries, as well as what teams are spending in the transfer market, against this team, it's almost a miracle this team finishes as high as it does every year.

"He gets the most out of every player. He gets the most out of every signing. He has been fantastic and I can't imagine the things this club would do with some of the budgets the other clubs have.

"The easiest place to look is across the road. If he could spend £50m or £35m on a player, think where this team would finish. His work is really impressive and I'm very impressed with him. Sometimes players fit a club, sometimes managers fit a club."